Gandahar

Gandahar

Year: 1987

Runtime: 83 mins

Language: French

Director: René Laloux

FantasyAnimationAdventure

In a distant future, the peaceful planet Gandahar—where poverty does not exist—faces a terrifying mystery: people on its remote frontiers are being turned to stone. A prophecy foretells a cycle of destruction and salvation a thousand years apart. Sylvain, an explorer, is sent to uncover the petrification source and avert disaster.

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Timeline & Setting – Gandahar (1987)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Gandahar (1987). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Far future

The action unfolds in a distant future Gandahar, with a crucial time-jump revealed when Metamorphis uses a portal to connect with the past. A thousand-year gap becomes central to the plot as the heroes confront a threat that spans millennia. The tale intertwines present events with a distant future invasion orchestrated from beyond time.

Location

Gandahar, Jasper

Gandahar is a peaceful, technologically advanced world whose capital Jasper hosts the Council of Women. The council sends Sylvain to investigate the Men of Metal and their sudden attack on Gandahar. The story involves journeys across seas and reveals the hidden base of the invaders, tying the fate of Gandahar to a broader cosmic threat.

🗺️ Fantasy world 🏛️ Utopian society 🚢 Journey

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:27

Main Characters – Gandahar (1987)

Meet the key characters of Gandahar (1987), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Sylvain Lanvère (Pierre-Marie Escourrou)

A Gandaharian scout sent by the Council of Women to investigate the Men of Metal. He grows from a cautious investigator into a decisive leader, willing to make hard choices for his people. His journey blends courage with moral reflection as he uncovers the truth about Metamorphis and the time-based threat.

⚔️ Courageous 🧭 Leader 🔎 Curious

Airelle (Catherine Chevallier)

A Gandaharian woman saved by Sylvain who becomes his ally. She is resourceful and compassionate, helping uncover the origins of the Men of Metal and supporting the escape and resistance against the invaders.

🌸 Compassionate 🤝 Ally

Metamorphis

A giant brain and the true architect behind the Men of Metal’s plot. He manipulates time to extend his life by draining Gandaharian cells, while masking his own role. His revelations about the future origin of the invaders expose the moral cost of pursuing longevity at any price.

🧠 Intelligence ⏳ Immortality

The Deformed

A race of mutants created by Gandaharian scientists and later deemed undesirable. They become crucial allies against the Men of Metal, offering insights into Metamorphis and contributing to the plan to save Gandahar.

👾 Outsiders 🧬 Mutants

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:27

Major Themes – Gandahar (1987)

Explore the central themes of Gandahar (1987), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⏳ Time and Mortality

Time drives the plot: the Men of Metal originate from the future, and Sylvain agrees to a plan that requires waiting a thousand years. The narrative uses a temporal test of loyalty and sacrifice, culminating in a decisive act against the aging mastermind. The story explores how time shapes destiny and the cost of immortality.

🧬 Genetics and Ethics

The Deformed and Metamorphis are byproducts of Gandaharian scientists, raising questions about creation, consent, and the value of life. The film contrasts scientific ambition with the moral responsibilities that come with manipulating biology. It probes whether ends justify means when life is engineered to serve a purpose.

🤝 Unity and Alliance

Mutants and Gandaharians learn to work together against a shared threat. Airelle's alliance with Sylvain and the Deformed demonstrates that empathy can bridge deep divides. The conclusion emphasizes collaboration over suspicion when facing existential danger.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:27

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Philosophical Sci-Fi Movies with Heavy Themes like Gandahar

Surreal science fiction that explores the dark and unintended consequences of progress.If you liked the deep questions and surreal world of Gandahar, explore more movies like it. This list features science fiction stories that grapple with the ethical consequences of technology, genetic engineering, and humanity's legacy, delivering a thoughtful and often dark viewing experience.

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Narrative Summary

These stories often begin with a seemingly utopian society or advanced science that is revealed to have a dark, hidden flaw. A protagonist uncovers a terrible truth about their world's origins, leading to a morally complex journey where the line between creator and destroyer, savior and monster, becomes blurred.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here based on their shared use of science fiction as a vehicle for profound philosophical inquiry, combined with a dark, surreal aesthetic and a serious, heavy emotional tone. They create a cohesive experience of thought-provoking unease.

Sci-Fi Movies About Time Loops and Bittersweet Endings like Gandahar

Epic stories where the past and future collide in a bittersweet loop of destruction and rebirth.For viewers who enjoyed the time-spanning prophecy and complex resolution of Gandahar, this collection features similar movies. Discover stories where characters grapple with cyclical destinies, time travel consequences, and endings that are hopeful yet tempered by loss or inevitability.

bittersweetepicmelancholicthoughtfulanxiousotherworldlygrimprophetic

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves the discovery of a prophecy or a temporal anomaly that suggests events are destined to repeat. The central conflict is often against a threat that is intrinsically linked to the heroes' own history, forcing them to make difficult choices that ensure survival but cannot erase the scars of the cycle.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their exploration of cyclical time and the specific emotional tone of a bittersweet ending. They blend high-stakes, epic plots with a melancholic undercurrent, creating a distinct vibe of resolving a crisis while acknowledging a deeper, unchangeable tragedy.

Unlock the Full Story of Gandahar

Don't stop at just watching — explore Gandahar in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Gandahar is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Gandahar Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Gandahar, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Gandahar Summary

Gandahar Timeline

Track the full timeline of Gandahar with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Gandahar Timeline

Gandahar Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Gandahar that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Gandahar Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Gandahar

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